Ökumene als Teilhabe

Wie wir die Vielfalt des Volkes Gottes zurückgewinnen können

Abstract

Ecumenical Christianity is usually understood in the German sphere as being bilateral, that is, the fellowship between the Roman Catholic and the protestant national churches. Ecumenical Christianity must also be multilateral, because evangelical and Pentecostal denominations bring their own emphases on the mode of salvation and prioritize different constitutive elements of being church. This coming together is necessary on all levels, from the local congregation to the whole denomination. The aim is not one church in structural unity, but rather unity in variety and reconciled diversity. A further model is the ecumenism of the Spirit as a bond of love and spirituality. The realisation of ecumenical Christianity as fellowship requires clarification of questions concerning the essence of being a Christian, baptism and church. This remains an ongoing challenge for ecumenical Christianity.